Poisoning in children: everything you need to know at a glance

Did you know that poisonings, after fall accidents, are the most common cause of hospital admissions for children under 5 years old? Fortunately, as a parent, there is much you can do to ensure this doesn't happen to your child. In this article, we explain how to recognize poisoning and what to do if your child comes into contact with a toxic substance. Finally, we provide tips on how to prevent poisoning.

How do I recognize poisoning?
A red skin, itching, sudden illness, and severe pain: these are symptoms of poisoning. In severe cases, symptoms such as confusion, agitation, breathing problems, heart rhythm disturbances, and unconsciousness can occur. You often notice immediately when your child has touched or ingested a toxic substance.

What should I do in case of poisoning?
Of course, it is most important not to panic. Is there still poison in the mouth? Then make sure the child spits out everything that is still in the mouth. To know what further steps to take, call the emergency line of your doctor. In cases of unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, or extensive (external) wounds, call 112 immediately. Some questions will be asked over the phone, and you will receive advice on what to do. Follow the advice of the professionals.

7 tips to prevent poisoning in your child

1. Store medications properly and keep them in their original packaging.
2. Never refer to medications as candies.
3. Also ask visitors to store medications safely (you might not think about this, but nearly a quarter of unintentional medication poisonings in children are caused by visitors' medications).
4. Store cleaning products safely (did you know that a childproof cap doesn't mean it's impossible for a toddler or preschooler to open the bottle? 15% of all children can open a cleaning bottle within 5 minutes. So be vigilant).
5. Do not leave cleaning products in the toilet or bathroom.
6. Never leave cigarettes or alcohol in your handbag or pantry.
7. Always check if plants are toxic (did you know, for example, that daffodils are toxic? So keep them out of children's reach).

First aid course for babies and children
How do you ensure that you act correctly if your child is sitting with a half-eaten dishwasher tablet or a spilled bottle of bleach on the kitchen floor? During a first aid course for babies and children, you learn what to do in the most common accidents involving children, including poisoning. With this knowledge, you know how to act and also learn to stay calm in emergency situations. EHBO Bureau offers various first aid courses, both on-site and at home. Curious? Discoverhere our offerings or contact us.

Sources

• Watch Out, Be Careful – Fieke Slee & Marielle Vehmeijer
• The Red Cross